Feeding Performance in Preterm Infants and Full Term Infants at 40 Weeks Postmenstrual Age

Introduction: Feeding problems are commonly reported among preterm infants. As premature infants are born before adequate maturation, inadequate feeding capabilities are common among preterm infants. Feeding is an innate behaviour in a new born. Swallowing is evident in a foetus by 16th week of gestation (Tuchman, 1994). By 40th week of gestation, neural processes are expected to mature completely. Feeding is an innate behaviour in a new born. Swallowing is evident in a foetus by 16th week of gestation. By 40th week of gestation, neural processes are expected to mature completely. Since the premature infants are born before adequate maturation of the systems, it is not unusual for them to have inadequate feeding capabilities.Material and Methods: This study aimed to compare feeding performance in preterm (between 30 and 34 weeks GA) and full term infants at 40 weeks Post menstrual age. Seventy infants and their mothers served as participants. A close ended questionnaire documented the oral reflexes, oro-motor skills, oro-sensory skills and feeding history in infants.Results: Results were tabulated under feeding history, (viz; history of use of nasogastric feeding, duration of feeding, episodes of coughing/ choking and vomiting, fussing during feeding, noisy breathing) and oral skills. Significant difference in feeding behaviour was observed between the term and preterm infants at 40 weeks post menstrual age. Conclusion: Hence the need for Speech Language Pathologist to evaluate feeding behaviour at 40 weeks post menstrual age becomes necessary.

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Comparison of Feeding Behaviours in Term Infants and Preterm Infants (30 To 34 Weeks) at Six Months Corrected Age

Journal of Nepal Paediatric Society ◽

10.3126/jnps.v35i2.12844 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 35 (2) ◽

pp. 202-205

Author(s):

Abhishek Koshy Philip ◽

KV Vijay Kumar

Keyword(s):

Preterm Infants ◽

Feeding Behaviour ◽

Transitional Period ◽

Term Infants ◽

Feeding Difficulties ◽

Speech Language Pathologist ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Innate Behaviour ◽

Feeding Development ◽

Feeding Behaviours

Feeding is explained as the placement, manipulation and mastication of food in the oral cavity prior to initiation of the swallow. In infants, feeding is considered as innate behaviour. Literature provides evidences connecting successful feeding as a predictor for normal communication. This study aimed at comparing the feeding behaviours of term and preterm infants (30 to 34 weeks) at six months corrected age. A questionnaire was developed based on milestones on feeding development. This consisted information on mode of feeding, difficulties in feeding and feeding behaviour. The questionnaire was administered on parents of 50 infants (25 term and 25 preterm infants). Significant difference in feeding behaviour was observed between the term and preterm infants at six months of age. This long term feeding difficulty may be pronounced during the transitional feeding. Hence the need for Speech Language Pathologist to evaluate feeding behaviour at transitional period for preterm infants becomes necessary.J Nepal Paediatr Soc 2015;35(2):202-206

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Reduction in Obstructive Breathing Events During Body Rocking: A Controlled Polygraphic Study in Preterm and Full-Term Infants

PEDIATRICS ◽

10.1542/peds.96.1.64 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 96 (1) ◽

pp. 64-68

Author(s):

J. Groswasser ◽

M. Sottiaux ◽

E. Rebuffat ◽

T. Simon ◽

M. Vandeweyer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Eye Movement ◽

Preterm Infants ◽

Upper Airway ◽

Periodic Breathing ◽

Full Term ◽

Rapid Eye Movement ◽

Term Infants ◽

Obstructive Sleep ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Obstructive Sleep Apneas

Objective. To investigate the effect of body rocking on infant respiratory behavior during sleep. Methods. Eighteen infants with documented obstructive sleep apneas were studied. There were eight premature infants with persistent bradycardias and 10 infants born full-term, admitted after an idiopathic apparent life-threatening event. No cause for the obstructive apneas was found. The infants were recorded with polygraphic techniques during two successive nights. They were randomly assigned to a rocking or a nonrocking mattress. The conditions were reversed the following night, in a crossover design. Results. In both groups of infants, no significant difference was seen between the two consecutive nights for most of the variables studied: total sleep time, the proportion of non-rapid-eye-movement and rapid-eye-movement sleep, the number of arousals, the number and maximal duration of central apneas, the frequency of periodic breathing, the level of oxygen saturation, and heart rate. During the nonrocking nights, all infants had repeated obstructive breathing events. In seven of the eight preterm infants and in nine of the 10 full-term subjects, body rocking was associated with a significant decrease in the frequency of obstructive events. During rocking, in the preterm infants the obstructions fell from a median of 2.5 to 1.8 episodes per hour (P = .034). In the full-term infants, rocking reduced the obstructive events from a median of 1.5 obstructions per hour to 0.7 (P = .005). No difference was seen for the duration of the obstructive episodes. Conclusion. In preterm and full-term infants prone to obstructive sleep apneas, gentle side-to-side body rocking is associated with a significant decrease in the frequency of upper-airway obstructions.

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Levels of Cytokines (IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α) and Trace Elements (Zn, Cu) in Breast Milk From Mothers of Preterm and Term Infants

Mediators of Inflammation ◽

10.1155/mi.2005.331 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 2005 (6) ◽

pp. 331-336 ◽

Cited By ~ 69

Author(s):

Bilal Ustundag ◽

Erdal Yilmaz ◽

Yasar Dogan ◽

Saadet Akarsu ◽

Halit Canatan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Trace Elements ◽

Immune System ◽

Human Milk ◽

Premature Infants ◽

Full Term ◽

Mature Milk ◽

Term Infants ◽

Necrosis Factor Alpha ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Cytokine Levels

It has been well documented that human milk contains several immunomodulator components which are important during infant period when the newborn's immune system is still under development. In this study, we aim at examining levels of cytokines, zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) in milk from mothers of premature and mature infants, and comparing changes during lactation periods consequently. Milk was collected from total of 40 mothers (group M: mothers of mature infants,n=20; group PM: mothers of premature infants,n=20) from four lactation stages: colostrum (0–7 days), transitional (7–14 days), mature milk (21 days), and mature milk (2nd month). Levels of cytokines (interleukin [IL]-lβ, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-α]) were determined by chemiluminesence method, whereas atomic absorption spectrophotometer was used for the determination of Zn and Cu levels. Cytokine levels were determined to be high in colostrum and transient milk from mothers of full-term infants, whereas their levels were reduced drastically in the 21st day and the 2nd month milk (P<.01,P<.001). Similar trends were observed in milk from mothers of premature infants, but cytokine levels were significantly lower in colostrum compared to colostrum from mothers of mature infants (P<.01). The differences in cytokine levels were continuous in transient milk (P<.05) and mature milk (21 days) (P<.05), whereas there was no statistically significant differences between milk from both groups of mothers in the 2nd month (P>.05). Zn levels in milk from mothers of premature infants were significantly lower compared to the ones from mothers of mature infants (P<.01) and these differences continued through the 2nd month. Although Cu levels were lower in milk from mothers of premature infants, there was no statistically significant difference except colostrum (P>.05). Our results clearly demonstrate that the level of immunomodulating agents such as cytokines and trace elements in milk from mothers of premature infants is less than the level of the same agents in milk from mothers of full-term infants. Although there are commercially available products for infant feeding, human milk is still the best natural nutrient for newborns. Therefore, when premature infants are breastfed, necessary precautions such as supplemantary diets must be considered for possible infections and risks related with immune system deficiency.

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The somatic growth pattern of preterm infants until term age

Paediatrica Indonesiana ◽

10.14238/pi49.1.2009.39-47 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 49 (1) ◽

pp. 39

Author(s):

Ida Bagus Andhita ◽

Soetjianingsih Soetjianingsih ◽

I. Wayan Retayasa

Keyword(s):

Preterm Infants ◽

Premature Infants ◽

Growth Pattern ◽

Somatic Growth ◽

Mortality Rates ◽

Term Infants ◽

Important Indicator ◽

Breastfed Infants ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Mean

Background Pre term infants contribute substantially to neonatalmorbidity and mortality rates. Somatic growth is consideredto be an important indicator of an infant's health status. Themeasurement parameters include body weight (BW), body length(BL), head circumference (HC), and ponderal index (PI). Specificdata on the somatic growth pattern of preterm infants in Indonesiaare unavailable.Objectives To identify the somatic pattern of preterm infantsuntil term age and the influence of gender, nutrition, and nursingmethod on BW, BL, HC, and PI growth during the first week oflife.Methods We recruited premature infants born in Sanglah Hopsital,Denpasar, Bali, and collected data on BW, BL, HC, and PI>All data were presented as mean (SD) and plotted in curves.The relationships among several factors and the somatic growthparameters were analyzed with ANOV A. The level of significancewas set at P < 0.05.Results Among 100 infants, significant differences were detectedin the mean ofBW, BL, HC, and PI, particularly in early preterminfants. Breastfed infants had the highest values with BW 2199grams (SD 198), HC 31.4 em (SD 1.71), and PI 2.48 grams/cm 3(SD 0.36). Infants nursed with the kangaroo method had thehighest values of BW [2450 grams (SD 259)] and BL [48 em(SD 2.34)].Conclusion A significant difference was detected in somaticgrowth according to some parameters, particularly in the earlypreterm infants group. Thus, breast feeding and the kangaroomethod contribute to better somatic growth, and specifically BW.

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DEPRESSION AMONG MOTHERS WITH PRETERM INFANTS AND THEIR STRESS-COPING STRATEGIES

Social Behavior and Personality An International Journal ◽

10.2224/sbp.2006.34.7.877 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 34 (7) ◽

pp. 877-890 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Sylvester N. Madu ◽

Johannes J. roos

Keyword(s):

Preterm Infants ◽

Coping Strategy ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Depressive Illness ◽

Full Term ◽

Future Research ◽

Term Infants ◽

Ways Of Coping ◽

Positive Correlation ◽

Significant Difference

This study examined the level of maternal depressive symptoms and ways of coping among mothers with preterm infants as compared with those of 50 mothers with full-term babies. It was conducted in a hospital in Pretoria, South Africa, using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS; Cox, Holden, & Sagovsky, 1987) and the Ways of Coping Questionnaire (Folkman & Lazarus, 1988). No significant difference was found in the level of depression between the two groups. The overall level of depression found with both combined groups, was 2–3 times higher than those suggested in the literature. A positive correlation was found between the “Seeking Social Support” coping strategy and higher levels of depression among mothers of preterm infants. A positive correlation was also found among mothers of full-term infants who used the “Accepting Responsibility” coping strategy and higher levels of depression. The high number of mothers in this study identified as suffering from a depressive illness of varying severity raises concern. A clear need for professional help among this population is emphasized. Future research in this area is needed in order to better understand and effectively address this problem.

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Psychomotor development of preterm infants aged 6 to 12 months

Sao Paulo Medical Journal ◽

10.1590/s1516-31802012000500006 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 130 (5) ◽

pp. 299-306 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Sophie Helena Eickmann ◽

Natália Ferraz de Araújo Malkes ◽

Marília de Carvalho Lima

Keyword(s):

Birth Weight ◽

Preterm Infants ◽

Motor Development ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Full Term ◽

Psychomotor Development ◽

Biological Factors ◽

Term Infants ◽

Organ Systems ◽

Significant Difference

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: The immaturity of preterm infants' organ systems may lead to difficulties in adapting to different environmental stimuli. The aim was to compare the psychomotor development of preterm infants (with corrected age) and term infants aged 6 to 12 months and to investigate associated factors.DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional analytical study conducted at Hospital das Clínicas, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco.METHODS: The sample consisted of 135 infants (45 preterm and 90 full-term) aged 6 to 12 months. Neuropsychomotor development was assessed using the Bayley III cognitive, language and motor subscales. Biological, socioeconomic and demographic data were gathered from medical records and through interviews with mothers.RESULTS: The mean cognitive, language and motor indices were within the range of normality for the sample as a whole. No significant difference in the development of infants born preterm and full-term was observed, except for expressive communication, in which preterm infants presented a lower index. Motor development was influenced by biological factors, and the poorest performances were observed in male infants; birth weight birth weight < 1500 g; Apgar score at five minutes < 7; weight-, length- and head circumference-for-age < -1 Z-score; and exclusively breastfeeding for < two months.CONCLUSIONS: Prematurity did not influence the psychomotor development of infants in this study population. Motor development was the most affected domain in the sample as a whole, especially due to biological factors. Investigations on child neuropsychomotor development should try to identify many determinant factors because of its multifactorial nature.

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Axial Length and Ocular Development of Premature Infants without ROP

Journal of Ophthalmology ◽

10.1155/2017/6823965 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2017 ◽

pp. 1-4 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Yi Zha ◽

Guangdong Zhu ◽

Jinfei Zhuang ◽

Haihua Zheng ◽

Jianqiu Cai ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Preterm Infants ◽

Premature Infants ◽

Gestational Age ◽

Axial Length ◽

Growth Parameters ◽

Anterior Chamber Depth ◽

Term Infants ◽

Ocular Development ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Preterm Group

Purpose. To investigate the ocular parameters of premature infants without ROP at gestational age (GA) more than 28 weeks and their relationship with growth parameters. Methods. 76 preterm infants without ROP and 65 term infants were involved to undergo portable slit lamp, RetCam3, ultrasonic A-scan biometry, and cycloplegic streak examination at their 40 weeks’ postconceptional ages (PCA). Ocular parameters of infants’ right eye and growth parameters were used for analysis. Results. All the infants were examined at 40 weeks’ PCA. No significant difference was found between male and female in axial length of preterm infants (p = 0.993) and term infants (p=0.591). Significant differences were found in axial length (AL), anterior chamber depth (ACD), lens thickness (LT), and vitreous depth (VD) between preterm and term infants. No significant correlation was found between AL and spherical equivalent in preterm infants’ group. In preterm group, AL was significantly correlated with gestational age (GA), birth weight (BW), and head circumference (HC). Conclusions. Preterm infants had shorter AL, shallow ACD, thicker LT, and thinner VD compared to term infants. Refractive error in preterm infants at GA between 28 to 37 weeks was not related to axial length. Among all the growth parameters of preterm infants, GA, BW, and HC had effect on axial length.

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Comparison of Feeding Behaviors in Term and Preterm Infants at Six Months Corrected Age

Jundishapur Journal of Medical Sciences ◽

10.32598/jsmj.20.2.5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 20 (2) ◽

pp. 140-149

Author(s):

Mohadese Gholamiyan Arefi ◽

◽

Nasrin Shahouzaei ◽

Zahra Esmaeili ◽

Aliye Abedini ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Weight Gain ◽

Preterm Infants ◽

Premature Infants ◽

Neonatal Intensive Care ◽

P Value ◽

Feeding Problems ◽

Speech And Language ◽

Feeding Behaviors ◽

Term Infants ◽

Significant Difference

Background and Objectives: This study compares feeding behaviors and problems of in term Infants and preterm infants at 6 months corrected age. Subjects and Methods The study was of observational-sectional type (descriptive and analytic) and sampling was one-step cluster probability of the available population in the form of the whole number. Feeding behaviors of 90 infants, including 60 term infants and 30 preterm infants, were assessed by speech and language pathologists through interviews with parents and recorded in a questionnaire. The information in this questionnaire includes feeding behaviors, feeding problems, feeding period, infant weight at 2, 4, 6 months and the age of the child to start complementary feeding, SPSS software version 24 was used to analyze the data. In all the present study, P-value less than 5% was considered as a significant level. Results The results showed that the two groups were significantly different in the mean score of feeding behavior (P= 0.001), feeding problems (P= 0.047) and weight gain (P<0.001). While in feeding duration (P= 0.53) and Frequency of feeding (P= 0.1) there was no significant difference. Of the 90 infants studied, more than 80% of them started feeding in the form of puree in the age group of 4-6 months. Conclusion Premature infants have more feeding problems and less weight gain than normal infants. It is recommended that the speech and language pathologist evaluate and intervene appropriately for oral skills and nutrition of premature infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit.

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Motor Development Evaluation of Low Risk Preterm Infants through the First Six Months of Life

Journal of Pediatrics & Neonatal Biology ◽

10.33140/jpnb.04.02.05 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 4 (2) ◽

Keyword(s):

Preterm Infants ◽

Motor Development ◽

Full Term ◽

Term Infants ◽

Mean Values ◽

Typical Sequence ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Term Newborns ◽

Development Evaluation

Preterm and low birth weight children are at risk for developmental deficits, many preterm children even who do not develop cerebral palsy not having reached normal motor development level regarding their chronological age. Normal motor development starts at conception and continue throughout life according to a typical sequence, pattern and timing. Evaluation and early detection of developmental deviation in preterm infants will improve the concept of early intervention and result in better quality of life to the preterm infants and their families. A longitudinal, quantitative, comparative studyone hundred infants: Preterm and full-term infants were evaluated by Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) through the first 6 months of life. There was significant difference in mean values AIMS of preterm and full term newborns. Further studies are needed to assess motor development in preterm using corrected age.

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STUDIES ON PHYSIOLOGIC HYPERBILIRUBINEMIA OF NEGRO AND WHITE PREMATURE INFANTS

PEDIATRICS ◽

10.1542/peds.22.6.1115 ◽

1958 ◽

Vol 22 (6) ◽

pp. 1115-1133

Author(s):

Gerald H. Holman

Keyword(s):

Premature Infants ◽

Exchange Transfusion ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

White Child ◽

Full Term ◽

Racial Groups ◽

Term Infants ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Group A

Serial determinations of the concentration of bilirubin in the plasma were obtained with 39 premature infants commencing with cord blood in 18 cases. The group consisted of 25 Negro infants and 14 white infants. Concentrations in the plasma were followed until the level fell below 2 mg/100 ml. The hyperbilirubinemia exhibited by these prematures appeared to be due to so-called "physiologic processes" as all procedures to establish other causes were uniformly negative. A definite inverse relationship between the degree of bilirubinemia and the maturity of the infant was shown in both white and Negro infants. Statistical significance was demonstrated when the mean peak concentrations of bilirubin in the plasma of the least mature infants were compared with those of the most mature infants, within each racial group. There was a statistically significant difference between the concentrations of bilirubin in the plasma reached in the two racial groups in the most immature infants. The concentrations were lower in the Negro group. A similar trend was present in the more mature infants, but this was not statistically significant. These findings agree with the fact that the Negro infant is a more mature baby than a white child of the same weight. They also lend support to the thesis that the degree of bilirubinemia is a reflection of the functional maturity of the infant. The possible causes of physiologic hyperbilirubinemia in full-term and premature infants were discussed. Several fields for experimental research are still unexplored. The role of the excretory capacity of the liver, particularly the functional activity of glucuronyl transferase, appears to be preeminent in the etiology of neonatal bilirubinemia. The sudden changes in the dynamics of hepatic blood flow which occur at birth may account, in part at least, for the hepatic immaturity. That the premature infant can develop kernicterus in the presence of hyperbilirubinemia without evidence of isoimmunization is becoming more generally accepted. The incidence of kernicterus in this hospital and in this study is quite low. The possible role of racial groups and administration of vitamin K in this regard was discussed. The bulk of the evidence indicates that premature infants exhibit jaundice and hyperbilirubinemia more frequently and to a greater degree than is reported in full-term infants. The duration of this hyperbilirubinemia is related to fetal maturity, persisting longer in the most immature infants. Because of the variability of concentrations of bilirubin in the plasma of premature infants, and because of the multitude of factors that play a possible role in determining the ultimate concentration of bilirubin, routine exchange transfusion for elevated concentrations of bilirubin does not seem warranted. The critical level over which exchange transfusion should be done cannot be stated on the basis of any available data.

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